Bulgaria

Sofia

FSP

Monday, April 8, 2013

Update on Kolina - Finally, movement on this process!

This morning I received the e-mail I've been waiting for - I've been granted the Article 5 letter!
Adoption is always a roller coaster ride. Each of my adoptions has had it's share of high and low moments. But no adoption has been wracked with as many low points as this one. And my faith tells me that the joy coming will be equally as high.
Every step in this adoption has been met with a letter of propsed denial. Denials, re-do's, appeals, and I've been hesitant to share these low points because I don't want to scare off potential adoptive families or families who are newly into the adoption process.
Day after day I watch other families bringing home their child or children. People who started their process long after I committed to Kolina. And she waits.
Why did this adoption come with so many low points? I can give some practical reasons, I'm a single mom, an older single mom, with an unusual income stream, with 14 adopted kids still at home, with two kids who turned 18 during this process which then required re-do's of paperwork to consider them as adults in the household, which includes background checks, finger prints, etc. But ultimately I don't know why God has had her sit in the orphanage for 10 months since I've seen her. I don't know what His plan is that kept us apart for so long. But whatever His reason, things are now starting to move along.
When will I get to bring her home? That is still the question in my heart. In 42 days it will be one year since I kissed her goodbye. And still she waits.
But today my heart is soaring. I've passed the final scrutiny of the US government. They have said yes, I can bring her home. Now it is up to the court in her country to give me the same permission. Please pray for a speedy court date. Please pray for the Minister to pick up his pen and sign the adoption decree. Please pray that Kolina's healthy enough to travel. Please pray that her wait is over.